The Intel Core i7-4960X brings little new to the table. While that will be disappointing to most, we were quite impressed with the CPU. Sure it isn't the cheapest (by a long way) and it can hardly be accused of being ground breaking but what it does do is improve upon a very fast and powerful CPU.

The main improvement is of course the reduction in power consumption. While this may not provide an immediate benefit to the enthusiast, it will do so over long periods of time, especially if your machine is used for number crunching/folding. The efficiency continues in that it emits less heat than the 3960X meaning whatever cooling solution you run, the fans can be run slower, ergo less noise. Couple this with a slightly higher base and boost clockspeed and it becomes hard to criticise Intel on their flagship desktop CPU.

Despite the above their are some criticisms that can be directed toward Intel. Firstly and perhaps indirectly, the platform upon which the i7-4960X will be used on is ancient in enthusiast terms. While it retains quad channel, it has less SATA 6 ports and no native USB 3.0. This is unforgiveable from an enthusiast perspective; who demand cutting edge technologies. Couple this with the 4960X being based on Ivy-bridge when the lower model range has been enjoying Haswell for months makes the i7-4960X a difficult proposition to make. Yes, the CPU is the most powerful Desktop CPU to date but when it is crippled by an ageing chipset one has to question the need to spend over £700 on a processor when there is a platform with newer technologies available for less? Few would take the opportunity to invest in a two year old chipset for such expense. Even less enthusiasts who already own a 3960X/3970X for such a small increase in performance.



Overall then, if you already own an Extreme processor then we see little need to upgrade unless that is power reduction means a great deal to you. I think it is fair to say, to most enthusiasts it doesn't. If on the other hand you are looking for the best of the best then you should certainly consider this processor. It is a powerhouse which will outperform everything this side of a Xeon. Just be aware that there are more feature packed chipsets available than X79 which, if rumours are correct, will be superseded itself in the near future which is likely to mean a new socket too rendering your £800 CPU useless on latter chipsets.